Lesson 2: Public Wi-Fi — Check Before You Connect, Protect Your Data
In public places, we often rush to connect to the internet — at cafés, airports, or shopping malls. Fraudsters know this very well. In fact, they don’t even need to make much effort — your hurry does the work for them.
This article turns the Safer Internet Day message into a practical rule:
Do not connect to unfamiliar networks and avoid performing banking transactions on public Wi-Fi.
Why is public Wi-Fi risky?
The main issue with open networks is that they are accessible to everyone — including cybercriminals. This can lead to:
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data interception,
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redirection to fake websites,
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theft of personal information.
Follow these simple rules to stay protected:
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Before connecting, make sure the network genuinely belongs to the venue.
If you see multiple networks with similar names, be cautious — one of them could be fake. -
Avoid banking transactions and do not enter personal information while connected to public Wi-Fi.
The safest approach is to keep sensitive data away from open networks.
Online security is reinforced by your habits and behavior. Stay alert — and fraudsters will have a much harder time succeeding.
